Patristic Quote of the Day

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Thu 22 January 2004 10:23 am

"Every holy virtue in the soul of an Orthodox Christian is a holy mystery, for each of them has an organic link with the Holy Mystery of Baptism and, through it, with the entire theanthropic Mystery of the Church... Hence there is no specific number of holy mysteries in the Church of Christ, in the all-encompassing earthly and heavenly, holy and sublime mystery of the Theanthropos. Its every 'Lord have mercy' is a holy mystery, as is every tear of repentance, every prayerful sigh and every plaintive cry." - Saint Justin Popovich, The Orthodox Church and Ecumenism, p. 67

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Fri 23 January 2004 1:04 pm

"The goal of our profession, as we have said, is the kingdom of God. Its immediate purpose, however, is purity of heart, for without this we cannot reach our goal. We should therefore always have this purpose in mind; and, should it ever happen that for a short time our heart turns aside from the direct path, we must bring it back again at once, guiding our lives with reference to our purpose as if it were a carpenter's rule." - Abba Moses (as found in On the Holy Fathers of Sketis and on Discrimination: Written for Abba Leontios, by Saint John Cassian)

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Fri 23 January 2004 1:05 pm

Meanwhile it is also necessary for the ruler to keep wary watch, lest the lust of pleasing men assail him; lest, when he studiously penetrates the things that are within, and providently supplies the things that are without, he seek to be beloved of those that are under him more than truth; lest, while, supported by his good deeds, he seems not to belong to the world, self-love estrange him from his Maker... For from love of himself the ruler's mind is inclined to softness, because, when he observes those that are under him sinning, he does not presume to reprove them, lest their affection for himself should grow dull; nay sometimes he smooths down with flatteries the offence of his subordinates which he ought to have rebuked...

It is to be borne in mind also, that it is right for good rulers to desire to please men; but this in order to draw their neighbours by the sweetness of their own character to affection for the truth; not that they should long to be themselves loved, but should make affection for themselves as a sort of road by which to lead the hearts of their hearers to the love of the Creator. For it is indeed difficult for a preacher who is not loved, however well he may preach, to be willingly listened to. He, then, who is over others ought to study to be loved to the end that he may be listened to, and still not seek love its own sake, lest he be found in the hidden usurpation of his thought to rebel against Him whom in his office he appears to serve. Which thing Paul insinuates well, when, manifesting the secret of his affection for us, he says, 'Even as I please all men in all things' (1 Cor. 10:33). And yet he says again, 'If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ' (Gal. 1:10). Thus Paul pleases, and pleases not; because in that he desires to please he seeks that not he himself should; please men, but truth through him. - Saint Gregory the Great, Book of the Pastoral Rule, 2, 8

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Mon 26 January 2004 10:43 am

The Lord can be robbed and made to grant salvation, not only by speech--as in the case of the thief who cried out from the corss (cf. Luke 23:42)--but also by thought. The woman who suffered from a haemorrhage merely thought within herself: 'If I can but touch the hem of His garment, I shall be healed' (Matt. 9:21). Another example is Abraham's servant, who spoke inwardly to God about Rebekah (cf. Gen. 24:12-28 ) - Saint John of Karpathos, Texts for the Monks of India, 56

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Tue 27 January 2004 9:59 am

But what shall I say about chastity, when only one and no second union is allowed? As regards marriage, the law is, not to marry again, nor to seek union with another wife. It seems strange to many why impediment should be caused by a second marriage entered on before baptism, so as to prevent election to the clerical office, and to the reception of the gift of ordination; seeing that even crimes are not wont to stand in the way, if they have been put away in the sacrament of baptism. But we must learn, that in baptism sin can be forgiven, but law cannot be abolished. In the case of marriage there is no sin, but there is a law. Whatever sin there is can be put away, whatever law there is cannot be laid aside in marriage. How could he exhort to widowhood who himself had married more than once? - Saint Ambrose of Milan, Three Books on Duties of the Priesthood, 3, 50

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Thu 29 January 2004 1:08 pm

Those who are deluded by worldly hopes, and know how to practice the life of holiness only in theory, are like those who employ drugs and medical instruments without knowing how to use them or bothering to learn. Therefore, we must never blame our birth, or anyone but ourselves, for our sinful actions, because if the soul chooses to be indolen, it cannot resist temptation. - Saint Antony the Great, On the Character of Men, 28

Justin Kissel · Post by **Justin Kissel** » Fri 30 January 2004 1:52 pm

Those who scorn to grasp what is profitable and salutary are considered to be ill. Those, on the other hand, who comprehend the truth bu insolently enjoy dispute, have an intelligence that is dead; and their behavior has become brutish. They do not know God and their soul has not been illumined. - Saint Antony the Gret, On the Character of Men, 46